Beauty and the Beast 3D Heading to Theaters in January

I’m not sure how I feel about classic family movies returning to theaters in 3D. The cynical side of me says they’re just trying to ring every last dollar out of these franchises. And 3D movies aren’t cheap, which makes me wonder if parents will fork over the cash at the box office.

But the it’s-all-good side of me is delighted to see these wonderful stories offered to new generations on the big screen as they were originally intended. Do they need to come back in 3D? I’m not sure about that. I’ll report back after I see Beauty and the Beast in 3D, heading to theaters January 13, 2012 for a limited run.

We all know the story: the lovely Belle (voiced by Paige O’Hara) is unhappy with life in her small provincial French town, constantly trying to fend off the misplaced affections of conceited Gaston (Richard White). When Belle’s father Maurice (Rex Everhart) is imprisoned by The Beast (Robby Benson), she offers herself instead and discovers her captor to be an enchanted prince.

Beauty and the Beast is rated G. Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, it also features the voices of Angela Lansbury, David Ogden Stiers, and Jerry Orbach.

Will you take your kids to the theater for this? Or are you happy to just watch the original on your TV at home?

Jane Boursaw is the founder and editor-in-chief of Reel Life With Jane. Her credits include hundreds of print and online publications, including The New York Times, People Magazine, Variety, Moviefone, TV Squad and more. Follow her on Twitter at @reellifejane.